Improved big-fob sloops and schooners



@uitrit tatrs @anni @frn JOHN ATWOOD, JR., PROVINCETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS..

ALetters .Patent No. 68,336, dated September 3, 1867.

IMPROVED RIG'FOR SLOOPS AND SOHOONERS.

Be it known that I, JOHN ATWOOD, Jr., of Provincetown, in the countyofBarnstable, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and improvedRig for Schooncrs, Sloops, and other sailing vessels of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being hadyto the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, inwhich#- Figure 1 represents a vessel with'my improvement applied, and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of my improvement on an enlarged scale,

The object of my invention is to provide a rig for a vessel carrying oncor more masts, by which a large amount-of sail may be spread infavorable weather, and which -sail may be expeditiously reduced, so thatthe lower rigging onlyis used in the event of a storm,'or in badweathcr;and the invention consists in the4 employment cfa secondary oradditional mast, in connection with alower mast, so arranged that it`may be extended upwards on a line parallel with the lower mast, andthere securely held in position; vand. when necessary the said secondarymast may be lowered, so that the lower end will be firmly fixed in or tothe deck, and the upper end secured in position; and thus the two willform or serve as one mast, of great strength, capable of carrying theusual amount of lower rigging in any weather, however severe.

Referring to the drawings, fig. 1^ represents a schooner with theadditional mast elevated on the foremast, with its complement of sails,and in the rear mast it is lowered in position for stormy weather.

A A 'represent the two lower masts, pro'vided at their upper ends withcross-pieces C and caps D, the same being firmly secured to the lowermasts. a a represent guides or stays, attached to the front portion ofthe cross-tree C, and, extending downwards, are firmly secured to 4thedecl; of the vessel. These guides may b'e made of ropes or rods. Brepresents a secondary or additional mast, passingthrough a hole in thecross-piece C and cap D, in front, as shown in fig. 2. On eaclrside ofthe lower end ofthe additional mast B are attached metallic loops oreyes I, which encompass thc guide-rods a, and slide upon the same, asthe mastB is raised or lowered, to keep the same in vproper position.The lower end f the mast B', when the same is lowered to .the positionas shown by the rear mast A', is tted within an aperture in the deck, orotherwise firmly secured to the deck, and the upper end of the said mastis also firmly secured to the capand cross-tree above. The ends of thecross-trees are also firmly secured to the sides .of the vessel. l

In favorable weather the additional mast B is raised to the position asshown in connection with the foremast, with all the necessary sailsattached. In the event of a storm, enduring severe weather, theadditional mast is lowered, as shown at B', in connection with the rca-rmast, tig. 1, and the lower rigging only is used. The mast B may beraised and lowered by a windlass, or otherwise, and the operation oflowering may be performed very expeditiously'in case of a sudden storm.When the mast B is lowered and made fast, as described, it serves tostrengthen the stationary mast A, and the vessel is then enabled tocarry the usual amount of sail below, without endangering the vessel ormasts in the scvercst weather. The stationary and additional masts, whenthe latter are lowered, are separated from. cach other only a sufficientdistance to admit of the free passage of the mast-hoops between them.

Y I am aware that the topmasts of sloops and schooners, and thetop-gallantinasts of square-rigged vessels, havebeen arranged to beraised and lowered temporarily and partially upon the stationary masts;but this is no part of -my'invcntion. i

,What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In combination with the stationary mast A, the secondary oradditional mast B, when the latter is so arranged 'as to be capable ofbeing iirmly xed to the deck, and form a support to the stationary mast,or of being raised, so as to form a continuation of the said stationarymast, as and for the purpose specified.

2. I claim, in combination with the secondary mast B, the guides a a,the eyes b, and the cross-tree C, as

described.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification in thopresence of two subscribing witnesses.

" JOHN ATWOOD, JR.

Witnesses:

l J. H. ADAMS,

ENeoH NICKERsoN.

